Oil Recommendation/Solid lifter 427

[Tommy]

My local speed shop is using and selling the Brad Penn stuff. I was using castrol and royal purple in my old junk. I'm gonna go with the Brad Penn and see what happens.


Tommy

[camarojoe]

I use Rotella, or Delo400, but to be honest, I sorta think alot of it is internet hype...especially in an engine that's been thoroughly broken in and just needs some fresh oil. Think about it, there must be several MILLION flat tappet small blocks running out there in the world, and only a few hundred owners (maybe a few thousand) have ever even heard of any of this "no zinc" stuff with the newer oils that has spread itself from one automotive internet forum to the next... They continue to use whatever they find on the shelves and drive away without a problem. If it was a brand new motor I'd be more concerned, (but then again proper cam break-in has ALWAYS been an issue with a brand new motor.) If its something with several thousand miles on it or more I think you can use whatever you want without a problem. In fact, I know plenty of folks that do this and I've yet to hear of any of them wiping out a cam or having any issues whatsoever.

I rank it up there with "lead additive" I used to religiously pour in my gas years ago at every fill up because at the time it was claimed the valve seats would be ruined if I didn't. Then I started realizing no one else I knew was doing anything but filling their classic cars up with unleaded and driving away... So I stopped and have never had a problem using unleaded gas. Maybe I just jinxed myself and my valves will melt into the heads and my cam will flatten out 3 lobes the next time I back the car out of the garage, but I doubt it!

[Bill Rose]

For 10$ worth of ZDDP, is it really worth risking it?

[lzdick]

You're right, Bill. Just like the old Pennzoil commercial said...

<font color="red"> "You can pay me now, or pay me later". </font>

[Unreal]

Well, I lost a lobe on my flat tapper L72 within 150 miles of break-in, using modern low Zn oil -- can't prove it was the oil, but my gut tells me it was. I went back with a roller.

[69SSZL1]

I run Castrol GTX in my stock ZL-1 w/GM solid cam and lifters and never had a problem. I think the problems are with Chinese made cams and lifters, I only run GM stuff. The cam companies blame the "new" oil when it is their offshore crap that is to blame. I do think it is hype that you have to have high levels of Zinc. If you break-in your cam properly with the inner valve springs removed and lots of cam lube, you should have no problems.

[Salvatore]

Hey Greg, you may have something there with the Communist parts! Good point.

[ss427copo]

Thanks for all the feedback....You guys are the best!

Jeff x 2 1/2